Disability within the Church

FHE Editor
1 day ago
4 min read

Updated: 9 hours ago

This article is not meant to be a how-to guide or a tick a box but an attempt to help people consider how they can help others within the church. The list is a culmination of suggestions from the Fixing Her Eyes community on Facebook. At the end is a list of resources we have gathered. Please let us know if you know of more. We strongly recommend that, in this space, the voices of people with disability are prioritised. Listening to their perspectives first and ensuring they are meaningfully included in every stage of decision-making.

Consider service slides for visual clarity (ie plain backgrounds on any text that is to be read). Also take into consideration colour blindness
Water in the foyer that people can help themselves to at any time, which creates a culture that it's OK to step outside if needed (no-one knows if it's for the loo, or water, or because overstimulated).
Car Care team who provide car pool lifts to anyone who can't drive and needs a lift.
When inviting people to stand we always use wording like "I invite you to stand if you feel able" and communion is brought to anyone who can't come up the front easily.
Include on rosters
Fully wheelchair accessible toilets up to current standards, disabled parking spots right next to the front door.
Sturdy chairs with strong arms
Use visuals in sermons for visual learners
Instant translation software (made in Australia!) and the languages available include English, for those who cannot hear/process the words. https://www.sunflowerai.io/
Be aware of the sensory overload of some church settings from both a sound/noise perspective but also some churches that have very dark spaces and lights moving around- and it’s so cool and modern but just so much sometimes. The overwhelm but also the sheer inability to see your way to a seat or the shock of the contrast coming back into daylight has been difficult for my family with vision impairments or sensory sensitivity.
Dedicated disability and elderly section with a “walker parking space”, easy access from these seats to the toilets and reserved seating for these spaces. This church also had lovely natural light and was less overwhelming
Increased education. Not many people are aware that accommodations to make the space accessible makes things accessible for everyone!
Flexible rostering may need to be negotiated individually. My illness can flare quite suddenly which means I may have to pull out of serving at short notice. The church needs to extend understanding to those with dynamic disabilities like mine.
Include those with disabilities in all levels of leadership and ministry, sharing testimonies etc.—people living with disabilities are not add-ons to the church, they ARE the church.
Set up a disability inclusion panel of parishioners in your church. Then survey your congregation for needs ( many disabilities are invisible).
The biggest issue we face is noise from loud music, which usually forces most family members to leave the auditorium, despite using earbuds or noise-cancelling headphones.
A space where there are chairs, screen playing the service and a speaker on the outside adjacent patio
Workshop with an OT and psychologist for parents on supporting neurodiverse kids (a children's kids program running alongside)
Email your local politicians about the NDIS cuts. Make an action plan for the families and people in your church community who are having their supports cut.
Ask them what would help them to make it through a church door on a Sunday.
Set up roster for things like meals and helping with house cleaning.
Having people who are experienced and skilled with applications available / offering to help would be of use too.
Don’t assume everyone can read
Care for the carers and seek their informed and learned advice
Educate kids and youth pastors in understanding neurodivergence and making accomodations.
Shorter prayers
Consult deaf community to find a space within the building that works for them, including hearing loops
Welcome Guide dogs and have water on hand for them too
Clean indoor air for the immune compromised. Make P2 masks available
Large print options available for service (membership docs/ statements of belief/ sermons etc)
Auslan interpretation
Weekly consistency in times for programs (changing service time once a month for an all-in service throws routine out the window)
Move away from curriculum/knowledge based programs
Livestream services and form online bible study groups
Include reminders to stay home if unwell and to protect the vulnerable
Fragrances in chemicals and perfumes can cause some to have severe allergic reactions including migraine and anaphylaxis. Making the church fragrance and scent free helps those with allergies.
Ramp access. Space in church for wheelchairs that isn't somewhere that causes vision for others to be hindered. Wide doors to meeting rooms
Meaningful tasks to contribute within the church